Best of 2012

While the past is often looked upon positively, it's easy to forget how good we have it now. This holds true for PC gaming, as the barrier to entry for not only who can design games but also play them has become so very low.

There's plenty of creativity to be found for people that look in the right places and aren't afraid to give the unfamiliar a chance. Even in restricting ourselves to exclusives, selecting the singular "best" over the span of a full year was no easy task, made even more difficult due to the vastly different types of games on display. But, we did it.

I wouldn't have seen this one coming, certainly not before being handed a controller and asked to try Hotline Miami. I didn't expect to like the game. Heck, I certainly didn't expect to love it -- to call it one of my favorites of the year. But, upon first playing and getting hooked on the fast-paced, relentless combat, I had to rush home to buy my own copy and immediately start back up.

Hotline Miami might not look like much at first glance, even for a fairly minimalistic title from a small studio, which is why it's so important to actually play the darned thing for yourself. When word got out about possible DLC, there's a reason why so many of us were ecstatic -- the game is such a joy to play; it is unable to outstay its welcome. We want and need more!

The already impressive soundtrack takes on new meaning within Hotline Miami, smartly intertwined with what is happening on-screen during any given stage. Once the level is cleared of enemies and nothing remains but the destroyed, blood-soaked remains of everyone who stood in your way mere minutes before, the music calms down, allowing -- but not forcing -- you to reflect on what exactly it is you've done. Was it worth it?

Add in an intriguing story to piece together the enjoyable moment-to-moment action, and Hotline Miami is truly something special. No game is going to be perfect for everyone, and this is no exception, but you'd be surprised just how much you might enjoy it even if things might not appear that way now. Less can be so much more.

timeline following:⇓ Hotline Miami

Bundle deals are all the rage these days. Although there's a ton of derivatives of the original Humble Bundle, GOG.com outshines the competitors and delivers with its Devolver Game & Watch Bundle. It's great to get such a...more

"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." -- Oscar Wilde
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I know one of the ways I'm going to fill the gap between now and the release of Hotline Miami 2 later this year is.... by playing more Hotline Miami. Especially now as Devolver Digital is releasing the original Hotline Miami...more

While it's certainly been the subject of many a sale opportunity by this point, I would feel remiss in failing to take advantage of any opportunity to encourage people to play Hotline Miami. So, in that spirit, I come to info...more

The first time I met Dennis Wedin, co-creator of Hotline Miami, I could not stop looking at his arms. His body is adorned by awesome unique tattoos, and his latest piece takes the cake.
Dennis got a new tattoo on his chest ba...more

So, last week I may have dropped the ball a little bit. Turns out I got slightly ahead of myself and thought I had completed the challenge when I was only halfway through. Whoops!
So this week I'm here to finish what I start...more

This week's challenge centers on Hotline Miami, in which I have to beat chapter 5 without using any weapons. Even when fully armed, death is mere moments away in Hotline Miami. Thankfully you don't have to wait long to retry!
If you've got any ideas for future challenges you'd like me to have a go at, feel free to leave them in the comments!more

Once the weekly PlayStation Store update goes live tomorrow, Hotline Miami will be available for free with your PlayStation Plus membership. The offer covers both the PS Vita and PS3 versions of this murderous action title wh...more

There you go again, Sony, making me regret actually buying things. All my favorite games eventually find their way to PlayStation Plus! Sony's subscription service going to be awesome next month, which I guess is just par for...more

Hotline Miami is doing pretty well for itself on PlayStation Network, it seems. After bursting onto Sony's online platform last month, the indie action title beat down the competition to claim the top spot amongst digita...more

As you may recall, Forgotten Memories: Alternate Realities came out of near-nowhere with its Silent Hill 2 cast additions, after several years off the development grid. If you're still wondering what Guy Cihi's delightf...more

It seems like a foregone conclusion when looking at Axiom Verge that comparisons are going to be made to Metroid. It is, without doubt, similar in more ways than it differs from Nintendo's iconic franchise.
The differences matter, though, and Axiom Verge merges classic environment design with new mechanical twists, producing a game that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time.more

It takes a lot for a twin-stick shooter to get my attention these days. I like the genre just fine, but it's so saturated that it's hard to muster any excitement for the next one that looks just like the last one. Thankfully...more